Artichokes with Quinoa Filling and Sweet Red Pepper Coulis

This colorful appetizer salad calls for combining vegetable flavors and textures in a wholesome quinoa dish. Use the Sweet Red Pepper Coulis as both salad dressing and dipping sauce for the artichoke leaves after you have eaten the quinoa filling.

2Servings

Ingredients

Sweet Red Pepper Coulis

3 large red bell peppers

1 large onion, unpeeled

2 tsp. garlic powder

1 Tbs. balsamic vinegar

Artichokes with Quinoa Filling

2 large artichokes

1/4 cup uncooked quinoa

1/2 cup corn kernels

1/4 cup diced red onion

1 tsp. onion powder, or to taste

1 tsp. garlic powder, or to taste

1 Tbs. minced basil

Preparation

Preheat oven to 400F.

To prepare Sweet Red Pepper Coulis: Wrap peppers and onion in separate foil packets, place on baking dish and bake for about 1 hour, or until tender.

Meanwhile, to prepare Artichokes with Quinoa Filling: Using kitchen shears, snip off prickly ends of artichoke leaves, and discard. Trim off bottoms evenly so artichokes stand upright without tipping. Place steamer rack in large saucepan, stand artichokes upright in steamer, fill pan with about 2 inches water, cover pan and bring water to a boil. Steam artichokes until tender, about 30 minutes. Using tongs, remove from heat, turn upside down to cool and allow water to drain.

Fill small saucepan with water, and bring to a boil. Stir in quinoa, cook for 2 to 3 minutes, cover pan and reduce heat to medium-low. Continue cooking for about 15 minutes, or until grains are tender. Remove from heat, and drain. Set aside.

When peppers and onion are tender, remove from heat, and set aside until cool enough to handle. Unwrap foil, and carefully peel off pepper skins. Open peppers, catching pepper juices in blender, and remove seeds. Place peppers into blender. Peel off onion skin, cut onion into pieces and place in blender. Add garlic powder, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper to taste, and purée until smooth. Set aside.

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